Bedworth United U21’s 1 – 0 Stafford Rangers U21’s
The young greenbacks lined up again yesterday morning against a new looking Stafford Rangers who hadn’t played much in the last 10 weeks.
The game was played mostly seven foot up in the air as both teams struggled to get the ball down and play.
Stafford played 352 when out of possession which created a crowded midfield and little time for composed play. Most players on both sides had their heads kept down by fast pressing and multiple possession transitions.
Passes back into defence from both teams left few options other than a long ball into the centre forward or over the top into the corners. These were always dealt with by the defensive units at each end.
The one exception was a ball that bobbled loose to the feet of West on the centre circle, who carried to the edge of the penalty area, was then disposed but won it back again (it was that sort of game) before shooting hard and low past the Stafford GK on 7 minutes.
The half-time team talk was inclusive and centred on the need to win 1v1s, move the ball quicker and to be smarter in game management including being more creative in their final third and more ruthless in front of goal.
HALF TIME: Bedworth United U21’s 1 – 0 Stafford Rangers U21’s
The second half picked up where the first half left off with both Stafford and Bedworth enjoying short periods of possession, but neither had overall dominance as the midfield aerial battle continued.
A win is win, and we take it despite being far from our best yesterday both individually and collectively. We go again next week.
FULL TIME: Bedworth United U21’s 1 – 0 Stafford Rangers U21’s
Starting line up: Timofey Abenoja, Jayden Brandrick, Dillon Leo Baker, Alex Coventry, Luke Curtlin, Jamie Callum Flounders, Joseph Lewis, Luca Moss, Miles Newton, Thomas Stenton, Cameron West
Subs: Muctar Bah, Reece Middleton, Lennon Murphy, Favour Nidjebu, Kayne Stewart
